Australian Actress Rachael Carpani Dies at 45

Australian actress Rachael Carpani, best known for her role as Jodi Fountain in the long-running drama series McLeod's Daughters, has died at the age of 45. She passed away unexpectedly but peacefully in the early hours of December 7 after a prolonged battle with chronic illness, her family announced on social media.

The news was shared by Carpani's parents, Tony and Gael Carpani, through a statement posted on her Instagram account. "It is with great sadness that Tony and Gael Carpani announce that their beautiful daughter, beloved Australian actress Rachael Carpani, unexpectedly but peacefully passed away after a long battle with chronic illness," the statement read. The family confirmed that a private funeral for close friends and family would be held on Friday and requested privacy during this difficult time. "The family requests privacy at this very difficult time and will be making no further statements," it concluded. Carpani's sister, Georgia, also shared the announcement on her Instagram on Monday.

Carpani rose to prominence in 2001 when she joined McLeod's Daughters as Jodi Fountain, a farmhand at Drovers Run who was later revealed to be the illegitimate daughter of the...